TAMPA -- Bay area school and law enforcement officials held a news conference to tell the public that they're more than prepared to deal with an incident similar to the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that took the lives of 19 children and two adults.
In Hillsborough County, more school security is planned in the final days of the school year, with similar plans in Pinellas.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister insists that the county is "light-years ahead on student safety." He says there's no joking around when it comes to shootings, and adds that kids need to be kids. "Let them go to school and worry about being educated. They shouldn't have to wonder 'will I be safe today... is today the day that I live or die."
Hillsborough School Superintendent Addison Davis "We've seen this over the years too many different times, and it is blatantly unacceptable. This type of behavior has no place in schools," Davis said. He also expressed his outrage over the Texas shooting. Davis said that families must reclaim their core values. "We have to reclaim our dinner table... I've grown up at 5:30 in the evening... my family is (at the dinner table) asking 'how was your day, what did you learn, did you have any problems, how can I help you'?"
Wednesday is the last day of school in Pasco County. Superintendent Kurt Browning issued a statement: “The news of the school shooting in Texas is absolutely sickening. Our hearts go out to the victims and family members affected by this horrific tragedy. All our SROs, school security guards, and staff will be vigilant and laser focused on keeping students and staff safe.”
Former Tampa police chief Brian Dugan told Ryan Gorman on Newsradio WFLA that President Biden made a passionate statement but "there's no substance to it... I've heard a previous president make passionate statements, but there's never any action on this stuff." He said it's important for law enforcement to have information to navigate campuses. "Although I think we're much better after Parkland, (Uvalde) does make you question whether we're doing enough."
Dr. Daniel Bober, a Hollywood (FL) psychiatrist who treated some of the survivors of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, says responses to experiencing a shooting will vary. "Some people will suffer a lifetime of mental illness... but the majority, believe it or not, are going to be resilient and bounce back from adversity and tragedy."
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